Europe intends to cut down the number of accidents and illnesses caused by or at work and it all relies on risk assessment.

This is all with good reason too. If risk assessment – the beginning of managing health and welfare – is not properly carried out or is absent, the prevention of accidents and hazards cannot be carried out or even recognized.

Millions of labourers are injured or face a decline in their health yearly. It is for this reason that risk assessment is imperative in making the workplace a safe and healthy environment. It is an ongoing process that paves way for the setting up of management policies catering to risks in the workplace.

It is therefore clear that each and every organization has to evaluate the types of risks present in their workplace whether obvious or otherwise. These risks have to be not only identified but the necessary countermeasures put in place. The results yielded from these assessments need to be well recorded for the next assessment if constant progress in risk management is to be achieved.

The European Legislation has the Framework Directive 89/391 specifically designated for risk assessment. National legislations of member states, their employees and employers alike have been given leeway to adjust this directive in any way they see fit to boost the safety levels of their workers. It is for this reason that everyone should know the specific clauses of the Directive in their resident country. All employers and employees have the necessary information and tools they need to carry out these evaluations as described by the Framework Directive 89/391.

Risk assessment can best be described as taking into account the practices or things that can cause injuries or illness to employees and what is being done in their regard. All workers should be protected against any injury or illness that can occur due to the nature and area of their work. These can have a negative impact on their lives and your business as well. Your equipment may cease to function and productivity may also be pushed down. The insurance companies will also charge you more due to these risks. The law requires you have measures in place the only way to do this is to evaluate the risks.

The risks in many business premises are quite in plain sight and their countermeasures do not have to be difficult or expensive to apply. Take for instance, if you know that your workers have to carry heavy loads then they are at risk of damaging their backs. Simply lessening the maximum loads per lift can easily solve the problem.

If you head small organization it is easy to carry out these evaluations and put the measures in place by yourself. If you are in a humongous organization however, it is better to call in a professional to do it for you.

As one of UK’s most experienced providers of CIEH level 2 and consultation we have built a distinguished reputation in the health & safety community. If you or your company is looking to find out more about what we do or CIEH please go to our website.